Followers

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

It just so happened that three contestants on NAGASU (8/26/2012) chose
to sing the songs by the legendary Korean rock band Deulgukhwa (들국화, “Wild
Chrysanthemum” or “Chamomile”); or more accurately speaking, one Deulgukhwa
song and two others by Jeon Inkwon and Choi Sungwon. Deulgukhwa (1985-1995) consisted
of Jeon Inkwon (vocal & songwriter), Choi Sungwon (bass, vocal &
songwriter), Cho Deokhwan (guitar), the late Huh Seongwook (keyboards), and Ju
Chankwon (drums). As their 1985 debut album paid homage to their idol, the
Beatles, Jeon was often compared to John Lennon and Choi was to Paul McCartney,
in terms of their stylistic and emotional differences and also their rivalry; Choi’s
voice tone and singing style showed a resemblance to Lennon though. The band’s
original members except Cho and the late Huh, all in their late 50’s, reunited
in 2012.

Guckkasten sang Deulgukhwa’s Haengjin
(행진, “March”), featured on the
band’s self-titled debut album (1985) which was voted, in 2007, number 1 on the all time 100 greatest albums; all 9 songs featured on this album became nationwide
mega hits and classic songs of Korean rock music. Jeong Yeop sang Choi Sungwon’s Jejudo pureun bam (제주도푸른밤, “The Blue Night in Jeju Island”), featured on his 1988 solo
debut album; and Han Yong-ae sang Jeon Inkwon’s Saranghan hu-e (사랑한후에, “After Love”), featured on his 1987 project album with
the late Huh Seongwook which was ranked 40th on
the all time 100 greatest albums. This song is a remake of the Al Stewart’s 1978 song "Palace
of Versailles," completely remade with entirely different words written by
Jeon. (Click to listen to Al
Stewart's original version.) After delivering a breathtaking rendition of the
song, Han was declared the winner, hands down.

Hearing those songs took me back to a place in time, the concert hall
where the band played their live shows in the late 80’s. I could even smell the dark, musty smells of
the concert hall and recall the youthful faces of the band just like it was
yesterday. And I remembered one Christmas Eve when the band, after the show,
invited the crowd over to a nearby café. Those were the days when people were so simple, sweet, and warm.